§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken at the United Nations to secure the adoption of an international convention on aerial piracy.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are working for the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of a resolution which would give strong support to the Draft Convention on Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft drawn up by the International Civil Aviation Organisation as the relevant specialised agency of the United Nations. The Convention is due to be concluded at a diplomatic conference in The Hague in December.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, may I say how pleased I was to see that Her Majesty's Government were a sponsor of this resolution now before the Sixth Committee, I believe it is? May I ask the noble Marquess to give an undertaking that the very considerable influence and power which Her Majesty's Government have around there will be used to secure the adoption of this resolution?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANCertainly, my Lords.
LORD JANNERMy Lords, will the noble Marquess say whether Her Majesty's Government have taken into consideration a matter which has been 804 raised on a number of occasions; that is, that those countries which harbour hi-jackers should not be granted facilities in respect of air services unless and until they deal with the persons who are kept by them within their boundaries? Also, are Her Majesty's Government considering steps in respect of deporting from those countries those who have hijacked aeroplanes?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I can confirm that these matters are under consideration. I should not like to go further than that at the moment. As the noble Lord will appreciate, there are matters of great legal importance and complication and they are being carefully considered.